A very important part of Korean culture is education. On Valentine’s day, Colorado Times had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Priscilla Rahn, a current candidate for CU Regent in CD6. This area covers Henderson, Brighton, Aurora, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, and Littleton. Rahn is from a multi-lingual and multi-cultural household. Her mother immigrated from Korea to America and learned Taekwondo, Jiujitsu, and Hapkido. She is an 8th degree Grand Master who was inducted into the Korean Martial Arts Master’s Hall of Fame just last year. Rahn, herself, lived in Daegu, South Korea for two years. She moved often due to her father’s obligations to the US army. Her unique background and passion for education have driven her to take more and more roles to promote diversity and equality.
Rahn is a Master Teacher, an honorary title held by less than 1% of Colorado’s teachers. She was the first teacher in Colorado to become National Board Certified in Early Adolescent/Young Adult Music. With her 26 years in education, Rahn has been a principal, teacher, evaluator, coach, and much more to many of her students. It is encouraging to see her accomplishments in and continued work toward forwarding the quality and equality of education for Colorado’s future generations.
What is a CU Regent?
The University of Colorado’s website states that “The Board of Regents consists of nine members serving staggered six-year terms, one elected from each of Colorado’s seven congressional districts and two from the state at large. The board is charged constitutionally with the general supervision of the university and the exclusive control and direction of all funds of and appropriations to the university unless otherwise provided by law.”
In other words, they are a board of nine members that are elected by Colorado citizens to decide the direction of the University of Colorado’s funds and policies. This university includes campuses in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and the Anschutz Medical Campus. They aim to provide: Access, Affordability, & Student Success; Discovery & Impact; Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, & Access; and Fiscal Strength.
Priscilla Rahn’s Focuses
Affordability
“The burden of tuition has gradually shifted from the institution to the student,” says Rahn. She hopes to ease this burden, so that every student has an equal chance at earning their degree. Rahn offers some recommendations as a highly qualified educator and a mother of a middle school boy preparing to enter high school next year. She highly encourages concurrent enrollment where high school juniors and seniors take college credits. This will shorten the time it takes to receive a degree, not only making it cheaper, but also making sure the student is able to graduate. Rahn shares the “golden time” for earning a degree is 4 to 6 years. She also suggests that, “As parents plan and budget for their child’s college costs, it is helpful for them to know that tuition rates are predictable and consistent during their child’s time at the university.”.
Rahn is also chair of the Denver Public Schools’ Asian Education Advisory Council. The council works to improve students’ education quality and also awards students with scholarships. The importance of affordability stretches beyond being able to get an education to the quality of education.
Student Success
It is easy to feel pressured or disregard from the idea that all Asian students perform well in school, a concept that Rahn is familiar with. “There is a model minority myth that all Asian students perform well in school.” Rahn continued, “I am committed to supporting the immigrant and multi-lingual community.” It is important that students feel understood and are given the opportunity to continue their education. Rahn also states that, “Your degree, that sheet of paper, should lead to a job the very next day.” She stresses the importance of preparing students for a life that they can live long beyond their school days. For this reason, one of her passions lies within increasing interest in specialized degrees, including engineering, aerospace, and cyber fields. Rahn firmly believes that the education students work for should be one that leads to a fulfilling job and comfortable life, especially as her own son prepares to go to college.
Support Rahn in her Efforts
Colorado Times enjoyed learning more about our driven and passionate member of the Korean community, Priscilla Rahn. To hear more of her story or support her, take a look at her website: rahnforcuregent.com. You can also volunteer to help her campaign, invite her to speak for events or churches, and even like her Facebook page: Priscilla Aeac Shaw. The vote for CU Regent will be on the November ballot!
By Agnes Park
